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Are you looking to learn a few medieval techniques? I am offering a variety of courses and workshops for textile techniques - the topics listed here are just a few examples. These examples are listed according to the duration of the workshop (one day, two days, or a half-day).

The course duration depends on the topic's complexity. The duration is given for a full course with five to eight participants. I can teach all of these topics on a one-to-one basis as well, and this usually is a lot quicker than a regular, multi-person course.

Other topics as well as combinations of several different topics, or a focus on specific details, are possible. Just contact me and we will figure out the best offer for you!

One Day Duration

Introduction to Hand Sewing Techniques

In this course, you will be making a sampler with the most important and most common stitches, seam types, hemming and neatening methods used in the medieval period. Special attention is paid to the properties of the individual seams and stitches, and when to choose which seam for your project.

The sampler lets you explore the different possibilities and will serve as a memory aid and help you choose appropriate solutions for your future sewing projects.

Introduction to Medieval Embroidery

This workshop teaches you the basic techniques for medieval embroidery, using materials very close to those used originally: fine linen fabric, plant-dyed untwisted silk threads and two-ply wool yarns as well as real gold thread. Preparatory drawings and transfer of patterns are also taught in this course, and you can try out iron gall ink and a reed pen to make your own preparatory drawing.

Freestyle embroidery as well as counted-stitch embroidery are taught in this course, including couched work with gold thread - this lets you get a taste of the whole spectrum of medieval embroidery techniques. For a deeper experience of the techniques, this course can be extended to a two-day course.

Filet Netting

Filet netting, the art of knotting a net, is an almost forgotten art these days. In this course, you will learn how to work a medieval hairnet in filet netting: casting on, closing the net to the round, working the increase round and working larger mesh sizes.

Filet netting also makes for a brilliant technique for demonstrations in Living History environments - and will result in beautiful, delicate yet strong nets, that you can embellish even more with embroidery.

Fingerloop Braiding

This technique for braiding will amaze you - it is very versatile, yet utterly efficient and allows for a wide variety of bands. The workshop starts with a simple five-loop band that lets you learn and explore the basic principles of this method, and continues to more complex and patterned bands. We will also look into bands worked by several persons in tandem.

Fingerloop braiding is also very suitable to working with children, as it is a pleasant way to train hand-eye coordination as well as fine motor skills.

Medieval Tablet Weaving: Brocading

While modern tablet weaving usually achieves patterns and effects through threaded-in patternings, most medieval tablet weaves used different patterning systems. One of these was brocading.

This workshop introduces you to brocading, a patterning method that is as simple as it is effective. The course is suitable for beginners in tablet weaving.

Medieval Tablet Weaving: Introduction to Twill Patterning

While threading your tablets for threaded-in patterning will take a good while, setting up the loom for a twill band is very quickly done - and while weaving, you have much more freedom in patterning.

This workshop teaches the basic principle that underlies the twill patterning, enabling you to work confidently in twill patterns and develop your own patterns. The deep understanding in structure and underlying mechanics of tablet weaving that you will gain in this workshop will also benefit you when working other patterns.

The workshop is suitable for intermediate tablet weavers and ambitious beginners.

Two Days Duration

Tailoring

Historical tailoring techniques can be reconstructed to some extent, and these reconstructed techniques are very different from modern tailoring. In this week-end or two-day course, every participant will work on his or her own garment project - using, of course, the historical techniques.

Half-Day Duration/Mini-Workshops

All course topics listed here are suitable for a half-day or a short workshop of about two hours. Of course the topics can be taught in more depths as well, extending the courses to one day of length. Or do a mix-and-match to suit your taste for a one- or two-day event!

Historical Spinning (Hand Spindle)

You will learn how to dress a distaff and to use a distaff and hand-spindle to spin yarns in the historical way. A short introduction to fibre preparation rounds off this course.

Fingerloop Braiding

Get a taste of this fascinating technique in just one and a half hours!

You would prefer different topics, or you have a question? Contact me, and we will find the solution that is best for you!